Polyphemus stands as one of Bryan Kneale’s most striking and monumental steel wall works. Its title draws directly from Greek Mythology, evoking the Ione Cyclops from Homer’s Odyssey.True to its namesake, this masterful construction captivates the viewer, functioning as a monumental, expressive eye or a portal peering into a legendary past.

Kneale’s early career began in painting at the Royal Academy Schools, where he won the prestigious Rome Prize. However, his practice fundamentally shifted in 1959 when he mastered forging and welding, finding expression in the structural possibilities of metal. For Polyphemus, Kneale adopted a specialised surface treatment, meticulously welding steel and treating it to achieve the rich, warm patina of bronze.This intricate technique showcases his dual strengths as a visionary artist and an exceptional craftsman.

As the first abstract sculptor elected to the Royal Academy, Kneale has long been a pivotal force in Modern British Sculpture. Driven by a lifelong aversion to repetition, his works are most often unique. Polyphemus remains a rare opportunity to acquire a definitive, museum quality example of his relentless innovation.